The site of the former Holcomb Creosote plant off U.S. 601 has been placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund list for long-term cleanup, the agency announced this morning.

The business operated for more than 50 years, and used distilled coal tar to treat wood and make it more resistant to rot.

When the business closed in 2009, the site included tanks containing creosote sludge, diesel fuel and oil, and an open concrete pit containing waste creosote and wastewater treatment sludge, all near a tributary creek to Deep Creek and in the area of Dobbins Mill Pond.

In January 2011, after state environmental officials asked for federal help, the Environmental Protection Agency began emergency removal cleanup at the site ...